The Windham region is located in the southeastern corner of Vermont, an area with varied topography ranging from the peaks and ridges of the Green Mountains in the west to the rolling hills and wider valleys along the Connecticut River in the east. Numerous rivers and streams crisscross the region, with most of the settlement concentrated along larger waterways. This regional pattern of historic village centers located along rivers makes many of the villages vulnerable to inundation flooding and fluvial erosion. The effects of climate change have increased this vulnerability, as Vermont has experienced more extreme weather over the past couple of decades. At the request of the Windham Regional Commission, this document provides information and inspiration to support the region’s planning commissions as they explore how flood-adapted infill development in and around village centers can help towns become safer and more resilient.
